Tag: WHO

Zim Annual TB Incidence Falls By 8%

Michael Gwarisa

CASES of new Tuberculosis (TB) infections have declined by 8% at the back of improved access to TB screening treatment and care at community level. By Michael Gwarisa The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is defined as the number of new TB cases in one year per 100,000 population whereas  prevalence of tuberculosis is defined as the number of TB cases in a population at a given point in time (sometimes referred to as “point prevalence”) per 100,000 population Speaking at the Mid Term Review of the Zimbabwe National TB program,…

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One Million New STI Cases Every Day, Says WHO

Healthtimes

THERE are more than one million new Sexually Transmitted Infections among people aged between 15 and 49 years, the World Health Organisation says. By Kudakwashe Pembere In a report released on Thursday, the WHO noted that this translates to more than 376 million new cases annually of four infections such as gonorrhoea, thrichomoniasis, chlamydia and syphilis. “We’re seeing a concerning lack of progress in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections worldwide,” said Dr Peter Salama, Executive Director for Universal Health Coverage and the Life-Course at WHO. “This is a…

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Zim Launches Viral Hepatitis Program

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE has launched a National Viral Hepatitis program to tackle hepatitis infections known to cause liver inflammation and damage. By Kudakwashe Pembere The inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. Researchers have discovered several different viruses that cause hepatitis, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Speaking at the launch, acting health secretary Dr Gibson Mhlanga called on stakeholders to develop a strategy to deal with this rising epidemic. “We desire to catch up with the global community in bringing…

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Zim Commemorates World Health Day

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE commemorated the World Health Day on Friday 10 May, 2019 whose thrust was on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). By Kudakwashe Pembere The celebrations appropriately themed come at a time when many Zimbabweans are financially burdened to cater for their health needs. Officiating the commemorations, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government’s commitment in seeing Zimbabwe attain Universal Health Coverage has been evidenced by ensuring that infants and elderly do not pay for health services at government institutions. He said Government is in the process of opening…

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First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa Appointed Health Ambassador

Healthtimes

GOVERNMENT has  bestowed another special recognition to the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa appointing her the country’s Health and Child Care Ambassador for the role she plays in the country’s health sector. By Kudakwashe Pembere Last year she was made the Maternal and Child Health Ambassador. With her role in fighting cancer of the cervix,  she was made the Health Ambassador and she received a trophy. In her acceptance speech while accepting the new role, the First Lady said she takes this recognition as a challenge to work harder. “It is…

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Zim Commences DTG Drug Transition

Healthtimes

DEPUTY Director HIV/AIDS and STIs in the ministry of health and child care (MoHCC), Dr Tsitsi Apollo says the country has already commenced its transition process from Tenovir/Lamuvidene/Efavirens to Dolutegravir (DTG), a first line regimen of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) which has less side effected and a rapid viral suppression. By Michael Gwarisa The whole transition process will be completed come February 2020 and in the process, drugs such as Navirapine (NVP) will be phased out with indications on the ground confirming that healthcare providers have already been advised to limit…

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WHO Approves Abbott’s Breakthrough HIV Diagnosis Technology

Healthtimes

ABBOTT’s HIV Point-of Care Test technology, the m-PIMA™ HIV-1/2 VL has become the world’s first point of care viral load diagnostic test to receive the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification approval (WHO PQ). HealthTimes Reporter The development comes after it emerged after rigorous tests and trails which proved that Abbott’s technology meets global standards of quality, safety and efficiency. The test received CE Mark in December 2018. “m-PIMA HIV-1/2 VL is the only truly portable molecular point-of-care test designed specifically for use in resource-limited settings such as in sub-Saharan Africa,”…

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Zim Nursing and Midwifery Summit On Next Week

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE is set to host a Nursing and Midwifery Summit in the capital, Harare on May 6, 2019 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC). HealthTimes Reporter The summit is set to attract delegates from the nursing fraternity, the ministry of health and child care as well as well as players from the health sector. Speaking to HealthTimes, Nursing Now Zimbabwe national coordinator, Munashe Nyika,  said the Nursing, Midwifery and UHC Summit is an initiative being organised as part of a program called Nursing Now. Nursing Now is a global…

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WHO Commends Less Screen Time For Children Under 5

Healthtimes

THE World Health Organisation recommends that for children to grow up healthy TV and or screen time should be reduced to less than an hour a day for those under two years. By HealthTimes Reporter In a statement, WHO said children under five must spend less time sitting watching screens, or restrained in prams and seats, get better quality sleep and have more time for active. This suggestion comes at a time when infants are getting exposed to too much electronic devices “Achieving health for all means doing what is…

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National Health Insurance panacea to achieving Universal Health Coverage in Zimbabwe

Healthtimes

ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation (2013), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means people receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardships.  Achieving UHC has become a key health policy goal in many countries throughout the world, clearly reflected in the World Health Assembly Resolution 58.33 (2005) and being a key component of the SDG goal 3.8. By Enock Musungwini UHC seeks to ensure that all people obtain the health services they need without risking financial hardship from unaffordable out-of-pocket payments (WHO Bulletin, 2013). UHC is firmly based on…

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